Android Market pulls banking apps due to security concerns

Some developers may appreciate the Android Market app store for its ease of use, compared to the iTunes App Store, when it comes to offering applications to mobile users. Unfortunately, that openness may change after concerns over a number of banking apps released by an anonymous developer, 09Droid, led to them being pulled off the Android Market after security concerns were raised.

F-secure is still unclear what the apps did behind the scenes or if they were used by the developer to gain access to a user’s confidential banking information. What is known is that the apps simply opened the web interface of a specific bank which could mean that login information could have been stolen. Adding to the mystery of 09Droid is a link provided for his contact information which simply pointed to a empty blog.

Bankings apps which were developed by 09Droid and have since been pulled from the Android Market include:

The days of the Android Market being run like the wild west are over. This is a HUGE black eye for Android and for Google in proxy. Unfortunately for Google, the timing could not have been worse.

Google is already getting some grief over reported problems and the lack of support regarding the company’s Nexus One smartphone. Now the company gets to deal with the damage control that comes from an anonymous person who had the ability to upload apps for sale. Even if the apps really didn’t steal customer information ultimately they really didn’t do anything except point the customer to a bank’s website.

Like it or not, this event is going to cause major changes to be implemented in regards to how apps are approved and offered on Android Market. This is not only a stumble backward for the Android OS. It’s like watching it fall down from the top of a skyscraper to the pavement.

Speak Your Mind

Bryan

“It’s like watching it fall down from the top of a skyscraper to the pavement.”

Fall down from the top of a skyscraper? Being a little dramatic aren’t we?

I’ve been using the Android Market for over a while now and I’m immensely happy with it, and I particularly like the fact that the market is a more open environment. But your certainly entitled to your opinion, thanks for the article!

Drew

Someone launched a dodgy app, and it’s been pulled. Big deal.

Your comment is that of a drama queen.

haly

Yeah… this has really hurt Google. Forced to retool their whole O/S, Market and Phone security.

Or not.

Market is almost the same.
Phones are selling like hotcakes.

http://mdm-adph.blogspot.com mdmadph

I’m just trying to figure out why someone would download and use a BANKING app that wasn’t even made by the bank… :\

Paul

Depending on the bank you are with, they usually have a mobile friendly webpage that you can access from your phones browser. What do you need an app for anyways?